Belgian Oil Painting of Racing Pigeons with Competition Records, Signed Fraiture

This early 20th-century Belgian oil on canvas painting presents a finely composed portrait of two racing pigeons, depicted in profile and set against a softly rendered rocky landscape beneath an open sky. The birds are shown facing one another, their forms carefully modeled with attention to feather pattern, posture, and the subtle iridescence at the neck—details that emphasize both individuality and breed quality.

The work is distinguished by its extensive hand-painted inscriptions along the lower register. These annotations document race results, locations, and dates, including references to well-known pigeon racing circuits such as Reims, Noyon, and Saint-Quentin. The title “La Royale Colombe” appears at left, suggesting a celebrated bird or lineage, and reinforcing the painting’s role as a commemorative piece commissioned to record competitive achievements.

Signed at the lower right “Jos. Fraiture, Robertmont Bressoux,” the painting can be associated with the Liège region of Belgium, an area historically central to pigeon racing culture. The composition reflects a documentary tradition in which prized birds were recorded with clarity and precision, balancing aesthetic presentation with factual record.

Presented in a carved giltwood frame, the painting offers both decorative appeal and historical interest, bridging sporting art and regional heritage.

Height: 24 in (60.96 cm)

Width: 32 in (81.28 cm)

Depth: 1.5 in (3.81 cm)